[Kristen]

This year I'm growing several varieties of Broad Bean as a trial to see which we like the flavour of the most.

On my list to try, based on "Best Broad Bean Varieties" articles I have read is Broad Bean - Imperial Green Longpod (it also has RHS AGM)

I sowed all the other varieties in my trial some weeks ago, but I didn't have any seed of this variety. Today I visited all the local outlets and none of them stocked it (which is presumably why I didn't already have a packet from when I got my other seeds!!). So not outstandingly popular then, presumably?

None of Suttons, Marshalls, Unwins sell it ... Dobbies do (which I suppose is a part of Suttons), and T&M, but other than that its the more specialist outlets.

Although Moles sell it too. (325 seeds for £2.80 as against 50 seeds from T&M for £3.69 ...)

So the question is: is it worth me getting it for the trial, or is its flavour not that special?

Other varieties in my Broad Bean taste trial

Aquadulce - I've always sown this for better cold tolerance, but I wonder if the flavour is a compromise
Bunyards Exhibition
Masterpiece Green Longpod

[brianc]

Hi Kristan
              Try Witkium Manita from kings seeds i would think other companies sell them as well.
              They are early and the taste i find is very nice.

[Goosegirl]

We've grown Bunyards Exhibition in the past and preferred it to a green windsor bean we tried last year. The Bunyards is quite a tall bean so needs some support but the pods are long and the flavour is very good.

[Kristen]

Thanks

              Try Witkium Manita from kings seeds i would think other companies sell them as well.
              They are early and the taste i find is very nice.

I'll add them to next year's run-off trial as I think I will have way too many beans this year otherwise.

I wonder how many people would make a trial if the seeds were easily provided? What about if you got, say, 6 varieties of Broad Beans in a "collection packet" perhaps 6 beans of each?  Could do similar things for all sorts of veg, and then folk could form a view on varieties they liked for future years.  Flavour is so subjective, and depends on husbandry, soil and so on ... whereas Seed Companies' Marketing Departments print big glossy pictures of the Latest Amazing Thing ... which may taste rubbish for all I know.

[Kristen]

P.S. When I was shopping for my one packet of Broad Bean yesterday, which I didn't find ..., there was a Marshall's stand alongside the other brands and it had nicely laid out packets and purported to be varieties chosen specially for best-of-bred (can't remember how they described them, but fairly sure that "Flavour" was part of their sales pitch)

I don't think I had heard of a single variety of any of the veg they had on the racks (I'm sure I'm exaggerating there!! "Most" might be more accurate )

I did wonder if that was Just Marketing, or whether I should throw all my seed away! and re-buy just the Marshalls recommendations for a summer harvest of fantastic flavour?

Sorry I should have taken a photo.  The stand / rack was appealing, even to a sceptic like me

[Mrs Bee]

Now I am sure that this is one that I have planted.
A friend from the allotment got carried away and chitted loads. She gave me a huge ampunt, some of which I passed on and the rest I have potted in little paper pots.

Would you like me to send you some plants when they come up if they are the ones you are after.

I will check their name, which is in my emails.

[Mrs Bee]

No, sorry it is Masterpiece Green Longpod. But it does have the  RHS AGM.

But I could still send you some If you would like some.

[Mrs Bee]

Me again. I knew I had seen the name somewhere. Sarah Raven has them in stock for £2.50.

Hope that helps.

[Kristen]

That's very kind of you Mrs Bee.  I have some plants of Masterpiece Green Longpod, and am happy to buy some seeds online, just a bit lazy about such things! and wondering if they have a flavour to be worth including in my trial.

Someone told me they are in Wikos (only place I didn't check yesterday as normally their varieties are more limited) so I'll give them a look before paying for a stamp from an online vendor